Senate panel backs $10 billion in health care cuts

[UpInArms]

http://today.reuters.com/investing/financeArticle.aspx?type=bondsNews&storyID=2005-10-25T223055Z_01_N25225553_RTRIDST_0_CONGRESS-HEALTH-REFILE.XML

WASHINGTON, Oct 25 (Reuters) - The Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday approved $10 billion in Medicaid and Medicare savings as part of a broader effort by congressional Republicans to trim spending and approve additional tax cuts.

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Charles Grassley, an Iowa Republican, said the bill's savings would affect the health industry and not beneficiaries. The bill, approved by an 11-9 party line vote, would improve health care access for children and low-income beneficiaries, he said.

But Democratic opponents said they are worried the emphasis would shift to beneficiaries later in the legislative process when the Senate and House of Representatives try to work out differences.

"I am concerned about the fate of the bill," said Sen. Max Baucus of Montana, the top Democrat on the panel. "Although many of its policies are sound, I am not confident that most will survive a conference with the House."

Grassley said the full Senate could take up the measure as early as next week.

The legislation is part of a broader effort in the Senate to cut spending by about $35 billion over five years with most of the reductions from health care and other mandatory programs. But conservatives are pushing for even bigger savings throughout a greater number of government programs.

...more...

When will the tax cuts for the top 1% be on the table? When will the spending on the war be on the table?

[Skink]

1. They're not cuts they are "savings"..

:wtf:

[The_Casual_Observer]

2. Improve and "savings" are mutually exclusive in my experience.

[Massacure]

8. Unless you have a very principled and very efficient government.

Which the current administration and congress clearly doesn't fall into.

edit: Oh crap, I made a double post.

[Massacure]

9. Crap, double post

[Maggie_May]

3. This just makes me ill

We can rebuild Iraq but, when it comes to our own well fair we make cuts.

[0007]

5. Ain't that the truth?

[Mel]

7. it is disgusting

and the thing is what about the 9 billion of our tax money that went missing in Iraq?

Why the hell doesn't the Congress start with doing away with their health care that WE pay for! Why not?

They are all well above the poverty line and could afford to pay for their own policies out of their own pockets.

Let them "suck it up" "pull their selves up by the boot straps" like they expect us Americans to do.

[SoCalDem]

4. Money for war...check.....money for tax cuts..check

Money for military goodies....check
Money for congressional pork...check

money for poor and elderly healthcare...sorry-not a winner this time...try again

[Captain Hilts]

6. I was going to say 'unbelievable', but it's too believable. nt

[ninkasi]

10. The tax cuts for the top 1% should be the first item

to be done away with. After that, the bridge to nowhere in Alaska can go. Get our troops home and out of Iraq. Why should the elderly and poor continue to suffer to enrich the already wealthy? This is a national shame,that the people who beg for our money when they want to be elected, throw us to the wolves when time comes to balance the budget.

Another poster was right...let Congress buy their own health insurance, and pay into their own retirements. They all make a hell of a lot more than the rest of us. Why should we continue to suffer while they prosper?

[callady]

11. Panel Approves $10B Cut in Health Care

Panel Approves $10B Cut in Health Care


Wednesday October 26, 2005 4:31 AM

By KEVIN FREKING

Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) - A Republican-led effort to slow spending on health care programs for the poor, elderly and disabled survived a stern test in the Senate Tuesday.

That chamber's Finance Committee, voting along party lines, approved legislation that would trim overall spending on Medicare and Medicaid by about $10 billion over five years. The committee's 11 Republicans supported the legislation. The committee's nine Democrats opposed it.

In doing so, Democrats cited what they believed was inadequate assistance for victims of Hurricane Katrina. In particular, Democrats wanted to temporarily extend Medicaid coverage to thousands of people currently ineligible for the program even though they have lost their jobs and their home.

``Eight weeks ago yesterday, Katrina made landfall. Eight weeks ago today, the levees broke. And eight weeks later, I cannot in good conscience join in cutting health care, when Congress has left the health care needs of Katrina's victims unaddressed,'' said Sen. Max Baucus of Montana, the top Democrat on the Finance Committee.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-5370300,00.html

[gumby]

12. The KKKulture of Life

Die Sucker!

[Erika]

13. Republicans are Christian? I don't think so.

Cut help to the needy while pushing for tax cuts for the rich?

[mcctatas]

14. Sure they are...

they just worship "Supply-side Jesus" instead of the other one.

[gulfcoastliberal]

15. But what about all those unborn feti?

Guess an abortion would be cheaper than providing proper pre and post natal healthcare.

[Dancing_Dave]

16. Iraq War costs $ 6 Billion a Month!

Bring the troops home two months sooner, and none of these cuts would be needed!

[EFerrari]

19. Get with the program! We can strip a nickel from healthcare

and then everything will be just fine. Ignore the Pentagon budget behind the screen. :eyes:

[Rex]

17. Republicans think poor people suck

and love to take away anything that can help them level the playing field.

[Seansky]

18. these people are horrible..If they could spend a single day in one of the

clinics and hospitals that serve the mayority of the poor and disabled, they might just get what damage they are causing to their own future and that of their children.

The impacts will get to them one way or another one because their wallets will suffer when most won't be able to buy anything but basic necesities...

These people have no human quality, just greed.